NCCARF Synthesis and Integrative Research Program NCCARF Synthesis and Integrative Research

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

NCCARF Synthesis and Integrative Research Program NCCARF Synthesis and Integrative Research An Assessment of the Vulnerability of Australian Forests to the Impacts of Climate Change IV. Climate change adaptation options, tools and vulnerability Image: Richard Hagen Robyn Wilson and Steve Turton NCCARF Synthesis and Integrative Research Program NCCARF Synthesis and Integrative Research FOREST VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT Climate change adaptation options, tools and vulnerability Contribution of Work Package 4 to the Forest Vulnerability Assessment James Cook University Authors Robyn Wilson Steve Turton Published by the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) ISBN: 978-1-921609-24-4 NCCARF Publication number 22/10 © James Cook University 2010 Please use following reference when citing this report: Wilson, R. and Turton, S. 2011. Climate change adaptation options, tools and vulnerability. Contribution of Work Package 4 to the Forest Vulnerability Assessment, Gold Coast, Australia, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. Disclaimer The research in this report was undertaken with funding obtained from the Commonwealth of Australia through the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained within. Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction to the Forest Vulnerability Assessment project ................................ 4 1.1 Purpose and approach ................................................................................ 4 1.2 Definition of forests and forest uses for the purpose of the project ............. 5 1.3 Classifying Australia’s forests.................................................................... 11 1.4 Climate change projections and scenario modelling ................................. 12 1.5 Projected changes in climate factors......................................................... 14 2 Objectives of this report ..................................................................................... 15 3 Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity .................................................................. 15 4 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 18 a) Semi-structured interviews ............................................................................ 18 b) Social learning workshop .............................................................................. 18 c) Analysis......................................................................................................... 18 5 Options for adaptation to climate change .......................................................... 19 a) Land management ........................................................................................ 20 b) Specific silvicultural practices........................................................................ 22 c) Social and community skills, knowledge and land value............................... 23 d) Planning ........................................................................................................ 24 e) Adaptation options identified from interviews ................................................ 27 6 Tools and guidance used to inform planning and policy for climate change adaptation ................................................................................................................. 30 a) Biophysical tools............................................................................................ 30 b) Socio-economic tools .................................................................................... 32 c) Policy tools .................................................................................................... 33 d) Stakeholders’ response: tools and guidance................................................. 37 7 Vulnerability of forests and regions to climate change....................................... 44 a) Potential impact according to climate change modelling scenarios .............. 44 b) Adaptive Capacity (risk, exposure, sensitivity and constraints/barriers) ....... 45 c) Vulnerability of Australia’s forest to climate change without adaptation........ 51 d) Interviews and social learning workshop - stakeholder perceptions ............. 55 8 Summary of findings .......................................................................................... 67 9 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 72 a) Objective 1: Adaptation options for climate change ...................................... 72 b) Objective 2: Tools and guidance used to inform planning and policy for climate change adaptation..................................................................................... 73 c) Objective 3: Vulnerability of forests and regions to climate change .............. 73 10 References.................................................................................................... 75 11 Appendices.................................................................................................... 88 Appendix 1 HREC – Approved Questions Used for Interviews ............................. 88 Appendix 2: List of Audio and transcript files from participant interviews.............. 91 Appendix 3: Community engagement strategies.................................................. 92 i Appendix 4: Adaptive strategies for land management ........................................ 94 Appendix 5: Planning and policy strategies for climate change adaptation......... 100 Appendix 6: Planned adaptation......................................................................... 102 Appendix 7: Collaborations.................................................................................. 104 Appendix 8: Level of vulnerability of Australian forests ....................................... 106 Appendix 9: Stakeholder comments on exposure, sensitivity and changed paradigms from interviews................................................................................... 108 Appendix 10: Biophysical, conflicting priorities, financial and governance constraints ........................................................................................................... 112 Appendix 11: Knowledge constraints .................................................................. 118 ii Executive Summary The assessment of the vulnerability of Australian forests to climate change is an initiative of the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC). The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) was approached to carry out such a comprehensive Forest Vulnerability Assessment (FVA). NCCARF engaged four research groups to investigate distinct aspects in relation to the vulnerability of forests, each of which has produced a report. In addition a fifth group was engaged to create a summary and synthesis report of the project. This report – Climate change adaptation options, tools and vulnerability - is the fourth report in the series. Through semi-structured stakeholder interviews, a social learning workshop with industry, and a review of published and unpublished literature, this part of the FVA project considers the adaptation options and strategies available for the forest sector to deal with climate change and the vulnerability of Australia’s forests. This includes tools and guidance available to inform planning and policy for climate change adaptation in government and the private forestry sector. A conceptual framework for understanding the vulnerability of Australia’s forests to climate change was used. This provides that the impact of climate change depends on both the magnitude of climate change in the particular location (exposure) and how strongly each unit change in climate impacts that activity (sensitivity). However, since forest managers are likely to take actions in response to these changes (adaptation), the potential impacts are likely to be modified through their actions. This “adaptive capacity” will be a function of the operating context of the forest system, the knowledge and options of the forestry sector and individual capability. In other words, the vulnerability of forests to climate change is dependent not just on the potential biophysical impacts but also on the way people respond and their potential to minimise any adverse impacts. In the first and second parts of the FVA project the exposure and sensitivity of Australia’s forests were considered. Here we focus on adaptive capacity and adaptation options and actions. Adaptive capacity The production forestry sector operates in a highly variable climate and has a long history of adaptation through experience and scientific research and implementation. Even though ongoing vulnerability associated with extreme events such as fire, drought, floods and cyclones is still high, Australia has several well developed systems in place to manage climate change impacts, such as a well developed economy, extensive scientific and technical capabilities, disaster mitigation strategies and plans, and well developed biosecurity procedures. In contrast to human systems, natural systems have low adaptive capacity to rapid climate change, notably evolutionary processes may be too slow for forests to adapt in time, Forest Vulnerability Assessment Contribution
Recommended publications
  • Site Selection for Farm Forestry in Australia
    Site Selection for Farm Forestry in Australia by RJ Harper, TH Booth, PJ Ryan, RJ Gilkes, NJ MKenzie and MF Lewis October 2008 RIRDC Publication No 08/152 RIRDC Project No CAL-4A © 2008 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 741 9 ISSN 1440-6845 Site Selection for Farm Forestry in Australia Publication No. 08/152 Project No. CAL-4A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Management Guidelines for Private Native Forests
    Management Guidelines for Private Native Forests by Peter Clinnick , Bob McCormack and Mike Connell October 2008 RIRDC Publication No 08/160 RIRDC Project No CSF-59A © 2008 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 748 6 ISSN 1440-6845 Management Guidelines for Private Native Forest Publication No. 08/160 Project No. CSF-59A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors.. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165.
    [Show full text]
  • Tasmanian Forest Carbon Study Full Report 2012
    TASMANIAN FOREST CARBON STUDY FULL REPORT CO2 AUSTRALIA LIMITED 31 JULY 2012 Page 1 of 372 TASMANIAN FOREST CARBON STUDY Authored by: Barrie May, James Bulinski, Adrian Goodwin & Stuart Macleod CO2 Australia Limited 31 July 2012 This report was commissioned by the State Government through the Tasmanian Climate Change Office. Steering Committee: Jim Reid, Brendan Mackey & Cris Brack Page 2 of 372 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report has benefited greatly from data provided by a number of independent sources. This includes a very significant set of data and information provided by Forestry Tasmania. Major data contributions were also made by the Wilderness Society of Tasmania, Ian Riley, the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries Parks Water and Environment, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and CSIRO. In some cases, these parties also contributed through providing technical and interpretive support. Many individual researchers provided useful advice on the modelling approach and interpretation and analysis of data sets. The authors are particularly grateful to Martin Stone, David Mannes, Mike McLarin, Martin Moroni, Tom Kelley and Rochelle Richards from Forestry Tasmania, Christopher Dean, David Bowman, Lynda Prior, Mark Hovenden, Sam Wood and Jon Marsden Smedley from the University of Tasmania, Vica Bayley from the Tasmanian Wilderness Society, Jim Gould, Keryn Paul, Leanne Webb and Craig Heady from CSIRO, Tom Fisk and Arthur Lyons from Private Forests Tasmania, Angus McNeil for the Forest Practices Authority, Don Aurick from Timberland Pacific, Jamie Norris and Rob Law from DSE, Matt Searson and Rob de Ligt from the DCCEE, Steve Candy from the Australian Antarctic Division, David Van Geytenbeek from the Tasmanian Fire Service, and Guy Barrett and Stuart Davey from ABARES.
    [Show full text]
  • PFT Annual Report 2015-16
    Cover Page 1. Stockyards with valuable shelter 2. Native and plantation forests providing shelter for cattle and pasture 3. PFT Agroforestry project – installing instruments at one of four trial sites 4. Harvesting Eucalyptus nitens shelter belt 5. Plantation hardwood framing 6. PFT field day at Preolenna, November 2015 30 Patrick Street HOBART TAS 7000 Email: [email protected] Web: www.pft.tas.gov.au Inquiries: Tom Fisk Phone: (03) 6165 4070 10th October 2016 Email: [email protected] Our Ref: 0507/3 The Hon Guy Barnett Minister for Resources Parliament House HOBART TAS 7000 Dear Minister ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2016 In accordance with section 32E of the Private Forests Act 1994, I hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of Private Forests Tasmania for the year ended 30 June 2016. Yours Sincerely Tom Fisk CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This page has been intentionally left blank Contents CEO’s Year in Review............................................................................................................................... 1 Private Forests Tasmania – Introduction ................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 1 Reporting On the Private Forest Estate ................................................................................. 9 Chapter 2 Adding Value to the Private Forest Estate ........................................................................... 15 Chapter 3 Engaging with our Stakeholders ..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Forestry Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
    Forestry Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Planted Forests and Trees Working Papers Proceedings of the regional workshop “Towards Sustainable Management of Planted Forests” by Linda M. Rosengren February 2008 Forest Resources Development Service Working Paper FP/41/E Forest Management Division FAO, Rome, Italy Forestry Department Disclaimer The Planted Forests Management Working Papers report on issues addressed in the work programme of FAO. These working papers do not reflect any official position of FAO. Please refer to the FAO website (www.fao.org/forestry) for official information. The purpose of these papers is to provide early information on on-going activities and programmes, and to stimulate discussion. Comments and feedback are welcome. For further information please contact: Ms. Linda Rosengren, Associate Professional Officer (Planted Forests) Mr. Jim Carle, Officer-in-Charge Forest Resources Development Service Forest Management Division, Forestry Department FAO Viale delle Terme di Caracalla I-00100 Rome, Italy e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] For quotation: FAO (2007). Proceedings of the regional workshop “Towards Sustainable Management of Planted Forests”. Planted Forests and Tree Working Paper 41E. www.fao.org/forestry/site/10368/en © FAO 2007 2 Table of content TABLE OF CONTENT........................................................................................................................................................... 3 1. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Agroforestry and Farm Forestry
    RIRDC Completed Projects in 2005–2006 and Research in Progress as at June 2006 RIRDC program 3.1 Agroforestry and Farm Forestry A report for the RIRDC/L&WA/FWPRDC Joint Venture Agroforestry Program May 2007 RIRDC Publication No 06/077 © 2007 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 340 5 ISSN 1440-6845 RIRDC Completed Projects in 2005–2006 and Research in Progress as at June 2006 RIRDC program 3.1 Agroforestry and Farm Forestry Publication No. 06/077 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Forestry
    Australian Forestry Australian Forestry is published by the Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) for technical, scientific and profes­ sional communication relating to forestry in Australia and adjacent geographic regions. The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the IFA. The journal is included in the Register of Refereed Journals maintained by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training, and as from the first issue in 2008, in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). Managing Editor: Dr Colin Matheson Production Editor: Mr Alan Brown Editorial Panel: Dr Stuart Davey Dr Brian Turner Mr Jack Bradshaw Mr Neil (Curly) Humphreys Dr Ian Bevege Dr John Herbohn Dr Grant Wardell­Johnson Dr Humphrey Elliott Dr Russell Washusen Contributions Contributions to this journal are sought covering any aspect of forest ecology, forest management, forest policy and land use related to Australia and the South Pacific region. Contributions related to the performance of Australian tree genera elsewhere in the world are also welcome. Instructions to authors are given inside the back cover of each issue. Contributions should be sent to the Executive Director at the address below. Past issues Full­text copies of the journal for the years 2001–2006 are available to the public on our website, http://www.forestry.org.au/ifa/f/f15­ifa.asp Journal subscriptions 2010 A$268 including GST within Australia A$298 per year in all other countries The above prices are for hardcopy. For information about options for electronic access and pricing, please check the website or contact the Executive Director at the address below.
    [Show full text]
  • Field Day Notes
    Tamar Valley Branch th Friday 28 February 2014 Frankford & Hillwood (Batman Bridge) Profitable tree growing options on farms to improve land use and increase both agricultural productivity and profit primarily through shelter for stock and timber production Field Day Notes 1 Trees for Shelter, Timber & Profit Australian Forest AKS Forest Friday 28 February 2014 Growers Solutions Pty Ltd Contents Page Acknowledgements 3 Program 5 Locality Map 6 Stop 1 Property of Adam Culley, Frankford 7 My Story - Adam Culley 8 Field Day Map and Stops 11 Growing Pine and Eucalypt Plantations for Timber 12 Wind Risk 21 Harvesting (AKS Forest Solutions Pty Ltd) 28 Growing Cypress for Timber 29 Stop 2 'Greenhythe' Property of Ed Archer, Hillwood 39 Design and Benefits of Tree Shelter on Farms - Greg 40 Unwin (information given as a powerpoint handout) My Story - Ed Archer 41 Property Plan and Tour Route 46 Eucalypt Shelterbelts 47 Equipment for Hire 54 Private Forests Tasmania Contacts 55 Tamar Natural Resource Management (Tamar NRM) TFGA Tamar Valley Branch Private Forests Tasmania Australian Forest Growers (TAS) Institute of Foresters Australia (TAS) University of Tasmania AKS Forest Solutions Pty Ltd Pages for Notes 57 Disclaimer: Every endeavour has been used to ensure that material contained in this document is accurate at the time of publication. No legal responsibility can or will be accepted by Private Forests Tasmania for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance of such information to the user’s purpose. Before undertaking any significant forestry project it is recommended that you seek personal professional advice from Private Forests Tasmania on the particular matter.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecosystem Goods and Services in Production Landscapes in South-Eastern Australia
    Ecosystem Goods and Services in Production Landscapes in South-Eastern Australia By Himlal Baral MA, MSc Submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy October 2013 Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science Melbourne School of Land and Environment The University of Melbourne ABSTRACT Ecosystem goods and services (EGS), the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, are vital for human well-being. As human populations increase so do demands for almost all EGS. Managing changing landscapes for multiple EGS is therefore a key challenge for resource planners and decision makers. However, in many cases the supply of different types of goods and services can conflict. For example, the enhancement of provisioning services can lead to declines in regulating and cultural services, but there are few tools available for analysing these trade-offs in a spatially-explicit way. This thesis developed approaches and tools for spatially explicit measurement and management of multiple EGS provided by production landscapes. These were used to assess the impacts of land-use change and to provide a basis for managing these trade-offs using case studies in two contrasting production landscapes in south-eastern Australia. Both landscapes have been subject to extensive clearing of native vegetation, which is now present in remnant patches. One study landscape had a concentration of commercially-valuable hardwood and softwood plantations, and the other was dominated by land traditionally focused on agricultural production
    [Show full text]
  • PFT Annual Report 2017-18
    Private Forests Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2017 -18 This page has been intentionally left blank 30 Patrick Street, HOBART TAS 7000 Phone: (03) 6165 4073 Email: [email protected] Web: www.pft.tas.gov.au Inquiries: Penny Wells Phone: (03) 6165 4070 9 October 2018 Email: [email protected] Our Ref: 0507/5 Hon. Guy Barnett Minister for Resources Parliament House HOBART TAS 7000 Dear Minister ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018 In accordance with section 32E of the Private Forests Act 1994, I hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of Private Forests Tasmania for the year ended 30 June 2018. Yours sincerely Evan Rolley Chair This page has been intentionally left blank Contents Message from the Chair and the Chief Executive Officer ....................................................................... 1 Private Forests Tasmania – Introduction ................................................................................................ 5 Chapter 1 - Reporting On the Private Forest Estate ............................................................................... 7 Chapter 2 - Adding Value to the Private Forest Estate ......................................................................... 15 Chapter 3 - Engaging with our Stakeholders......................................................................................... 21 Chapter 4 - The Regulatory Regime ...................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 5 -
    [Show full text]
  • Fifteen Years of the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program Foundation Research for Australia’S Tree Crop Revolution
    Fifteen Years of the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program Foundation research for Australia’s tree crop revolution Pub. No. 09/063 RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia © 2009 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 865 2 ISSN 1440-6845 Fifteen Years of the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program — Foundation research for Australia’s tree crop revolution Publication No. 09/063 Project No. PRJ-004341 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • John C. Bliss Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA. 97331. Email: [email protected] Abstract in This Paper I Addres
    IUFRO Forestry Extension Conference Lorne, Oct-Nov 2001 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ KEYNOTE PAPER EXTENSION AND THE FUTURE OF FAMILY FORESTS:MAKING CONNECTIONS John C. Bliss Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA. 97331. Email: [email protected] Abstract In this paper I address three questions: Why sustain family forests? What are the major challenges to sustaining family forests? and, What roles can extension forestry play in sustaining family forests? Family forests are critical components of forested landscapes around the world, providing a unique and valuable set of ecological, economic, and social values. Sustaining family forests is challenged by profound changes occurring in 1) environmental conditions, 2) land tenure patterns and institutions, 3) the globalization of markets, communications, and politics, and 4) changes in social demographics and values. I propose "sustaining family forests" as a worthy mission for extension forestry, and suggest that achieving this mission will require facilitating connections; 1) between forest owners and their neighbors across the landscape, 2) between forest owners and global markets, and, 3) between forest owners and the public. About the Author John Bliss holds the position of Starker Chair in Private and Family Forestry in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University, U.S.A. Dr. Bliss earned degrees in cultural anthropology and forestry from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He has worked in the field of nonindustrial private forestry for 20 years, first as a private lands forester for the State of Wisconsin, then as an forestry extension specialist at Auburn University, Alabama. John has published extensively on forest-based rural development, private forest policy, public attitudes toward forest practices, and social science research applications in forestry.
    [Show full text]